The three had been charged with hooliganism motivated byreligious hatred in a trial that has focused attention on acrackdown on dissent since Putin's return to the presidency inMay.

Prosecutor Alexei Nikiforov did not press the court for themaximum seven-year sentence after Putin said Maria Alyokhina,24, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 22, and Yekaterina Samutsevich, 29,should not be judged too harshly.

But Nikiforov ignored pleas by the opposition and humanrights groups not to seek jail terms over the protest in whichthe trio belted out a song on Feb. 21 urging the Virgin Mary torid Russia of Putin.

"The actions of the accomplices clearly show religioushatred and enmity," Nikiforov said in closing arguments at thetrial. "Using swear words in a church is an abuse of God."

"There was real mockery and humiliation directed at thepeople in the church."

The band's stunt infuriated church leaders and the Kremlinand upset many Orthodox Christian believers for whom the Christthe Saviour Cathedral is a sacred place of worship and itspulpit a place reserved exclusively for priests.

Russian opposition leaders say the trial is part of a widercrackdown on dissent by Putin after the biggest protests sincehe rose to power in 2000.

The case has caused an outcry abroad and internationalmusicians including Madonna, Sting and Red Hot Chili Peppershave appealed for leniency.